Chapter 9!
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Seeing Gwaine unsheathe his sword, I quickly shot my hand out to pull him back and away from the clearing.
"Not now" I hissed as I hauled Merlin up to my hip and shot away at a hurried pace.
As we were walking back, I noticed that Gwaine wasn't his normal self.
Sighing, I explained in a somewhat patronising voice, "Look, if we ran in there; firstly, we'd be outnumbered, they'd tear us apart not to mention we'd have Merlin with us slowing us down, no offence Merlin, and secondly," I carried on, ignoring Merlin pouting up at me, "we now know where they're hiding, and obviously where they're heading so we'll device a plan with the other fellows and come back some other time with backup"
Gwaine scowled briefly but then nodded.
"Still would've been nice to pulverise some of them though" he muttered to himself.
We walked back in silence, letting Merlin waltz ahead,("No running ahead Merlin, I mean it") occasionally stumbling on tree roots.
"So Princess, what's the plan?" Gwaine finally asked.
"Well we should... What was that?"
I whirled around to the west at the source of the noise.
Gwaine and I unsheathed our swords as more twigs snapped.
Tensing as the bushed rustled and stepped out... Elyan and Gwen, looking disgruntled and panting.
"Elyan!" Gwaine exclaimed, face breaking into a grin.
Elyan didn't share his smile and said solemnly, "We have trouble."
Straight after, we heard yelling.
"Oh great" I mumbled as I grabbed Merlin's hand and sprinted away pulling Gwen with me.
Faintly, I could hear the others snapping on twigs, and hear their short breaths but my mission was to get Gwen and Merlin back to Camelot unharmed.
Why on earth did this always happen to me? Us? Camelot?!
"Umph!"
I didn't react as I yanked Merlin into my arms as I growled, "Really Merlin? You had to be your clumsy self now?"
He said nothing.
Finally, after a lot of running, we had reached the trees residing around Camelot's walls and we slowed down, all of us leaning over, hands on our knees.
"I think we outran them" Gwaine breathed out.
"They wouldn't... dare even go into... Camelot" I added.
I quickly checked everyone over; Gwen was slightly shaken but other than that she was fine and Merlin-
"-Jeez Merlin, you've look like you've seen a ghost!"
"Thank you for that Gwaine" Gwen snapped unintentionally.
She crouched down and swept away Merlin's hair from his eyes as he stared around wide eyed in fear.
"Don't worry Merlin," she soothed, "They won't get you like last time, you're safe."
Merlin hesitantly nodded.
"Right, now we really need to get down to business; Gwaine, Elyan go get Percival and Leon and meet me in Gaius's chambers in 15 minutes" I instructed.
They nodded and set off.
"Come on Guinevere, I'll explain everything on the way."
"Well the obvious explanation is to get in there, open a can of Camelot's finest butt-kick" Gwaine said as if it were the obvious thing in the world.
I gave him a look and he simply smiled.
"No Gwaine, what we need is a good plan that will not only transform Merlin back but also can give away where Lord Winsor's loyalties lie" Gaius retorted.
We nodded in approval.
"But how?" Percival asked.
"It's simple-"
"NO Gwaine!"
"Actually...it is a good plan" Gwen said quietly, avoiding my gaze.
"Oh no, please no Gwen" Leon moaned whilst Gwaine had a smug look on his features.
"Well parts of it" she explained. "I think we will have to face Aldor and... Morgana some time."
"I suppose" Elyan agreed reluctantly as he frowned at Gwaine.
"Okay, we've sorted that out but how do we actually get there?" I asked them rhetorically.
They all shrugged at me helplessly.
"I think," I started, "That we need to go over to their camp before Lord Winsor comes to visit Camelot and perhaps capture Aldor, since we know he has magic, and threaten him to turn Merlin back."
"What about exposing Lord Winsor?" Leon asked.
I pursed my lips.
"Once we've captured Aldor, we... can use him against Lord Winsor, he can tell my father that he was in with him" I said feebly.
We all knew how terrible our plan was but we had nothing else to go on and we all knew that fighting was inevitable.
"What about Morgana?" Merlin piped up from the chair, swinging his legs.
"We can't tell Uther about Morgana, you know he's still touchy on the subject and will result in his disbelief about the whole thing" Gaius told him.
"We'll just have to hope that this plan goes well."
Merlin had slept in my bed again due to nightmares and so in the morning I was met with small arms wrapped around my neck and raven hair tickling my chin. I rolled my eyes and sighed as I tried to untangle myself from Merlin's hold but to no avail. In fact, it made him hold on even harder. So, being the kind Prince I am, I left him there and waited until he yawned, fluttered his eyes and then began to slowly let my neck go to rub his eyes with the heels on his palms.
"Glad to see you're finally up" I muttered as I swung my legs over the bed and stretched.
"And I see you're still not a morning person Arty" Merlin giggled.
"Hmm maybe it has something to do with the fact that you kick like a horse!" I said sarcastically.
Merlin just stuck his tongue out. We both dressed in silence then I called for breakfast from a servant passing my chambers.
Once we had both been fed we walked down to Gaius's chambers to be met with Guinevere, Elyan, Sir Leon and Sir Percival.
"Where's Gwaine?" I asked fatly, unsurprised.
Just at that moment, Gwaine stumbled in looking like death dug up.
"Oh, my head, why are we up this early? It's not even dawn yet!" he groaned.
"You went to the tavern?" I guessed as I stared at him angrily.
"Yeah?" he shrugged and sat down on the floor next to Merlin.
I rolled my eyes at him and turned to Gaius.
"So we all know the plan and our places within it?" I asked to be met with nods all around save Guinevere looking upset.
"Come on Gwen, you know I couldn't live with myself if something bad happened to you" Elyan told her, voicing my thoughts.
"I care about Merlin just as the next person" she grumbled.
"I know but you're needed with Gaius just in case there are casualties" I added on.
She reluctantly nodded.
"And I don't wanna see you getting hurt either Gwenny, especially not on my account" Merlin included sincerely looking up at her with big cobalt eyes.
She couldn't help the small smile that lit up her face.
"Gaius, we'll meet you at the outskirts of the forest. Don't come for at least another 10 minutes when you see us go out; it'll make it less suspicious" I was met with a confident nod from Gaius who then started packing a small bag for putting herbs into.
I nodded again then ushered my fellow knights out.
"Arthur!"
I spun around to face Gwen who opened her mouth but then closed it a small blush on her cheeks.
"We'll meet you down there sire" Leon said and I nodded.
Just as he closed Gaius's door, I distinctly heard Gwaine say, "Look's like your sister and the princess have finally got their act together, Elyan!"
Of course, I had started blushing like a 10 year old girl and what didn't help was the fact that Merlin started cackling at our awkwardness before Gaius dragged him out of the room and down to the square.
So it was just me and Guinevere.
I coughed embarrassingly.
"Be careful" she finally told me.
I smirked, cockily, "I always am-"
"I mean it Arthur! You need to be focused, I need you to come back out alive" she muttered, locking eyes with me.
I pulled her close and rested my chin on her crown.
"Don't worry; I couldn't possibly think of Gwaine comforting you if I ever left, the thought is sickening"
She laughed lightly at this then looked up at me.
I stared back then slowly pressed my lips to hers.
The kiss was short but sweet and told her that I would be coming home.
"Goodbye Arthur" she whispered.
I gave her one last smile before leaving her to meet with my knights in the armoury.
"Soo... what did you and Gwen talk about?" Gwaine asked for the umpteenth time, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
I scowled but ignored him.
"Ah come on princess, it's not like we all haven't heard it before" he urged, snickering.
Merlin, who was looking at Gwaine admiringly, started giggling too.
Elyan groaned, "Great, now you've brainwashed Merlin."
Gwaine boomed out a laugh and set Merlin on his shoulders.
"I'll make a Gwaine out of you yet" he told Merlin who giggled again.
"You better not" I muttered, scowling.
Honestly, put Gwaine and Merlin with you in a room together and you're sure to go insane.
"Come on, we don't have time for this. Now Gwaine, you need to remember your place; you'll be skirting round the edge of the camp with Merlin protecting him whilst Leon and I will go straight in to the head tent. All the while, you Perc and you Elyan will be skirting round the camp signalling us whenever someone has spotted you and has alerted others. If they haven't spotted you...you know what to do" I told them all briefly.
"Is that clear?" I enquired.
"Yes sire" they answered in unison.
"Good" I mumbled.
As we reached the clearing, I sighed in relief as I saw the camp still there, all of them peacefully slumbering.
"Right, stick to the plan people and we all should be okay" I whispered and we set off to our own devices.
Leon and I walk stealthy around, careful not to step on any twigs. We found the headquarters quite easily and as we were about to walk in an icy voice called out from behind us.
"Did you really think we were that stupid little prince?"
Please not that voice, my thoughts pleaded with me.
I reluctantly turned around, Leon following me, and I was met with my half sister... Morgana.
She smirked at us, leaning against a tree.
"Morgana" I greeted quietly.
"Hello brother" she sneered.
I'll admit it, she looked terrible. Her usual healthy wavy hair was now straw looking which complemented her dark circles under her eyes. She looked frightfully pale and which contrasted well with her black gown. This was not the woman I had grown up with.
And with that thought in my head I gripped my sword tighter and raised it above me.
Noticing this, she just smirked again.
"They are no use against us so why don't you be a good little daddy's boy and put them down and surrender?"
"Never!" Leon voiced my thoughts and we both stood in crouching positions.
She sighed and clicked her fingers.
"Bring him here" she announced and my stomach dropped as Aldor walked out from a tree holding a deer like Merlin in a vice like grip, a dagger at his throat.
"We meet again, sire" he said and dug the knife deeper into Merlin's throat. Merlin started crying silently.
"What have you done with Gwaine?!"
"Oh, I disposed of him quickly" she dismissed and I froze.
Not Gwaine. Sure he was annoying but... he was still a good friend.
"Please" I begged (Did I really just beg?) "Let him go Morgana, he hasn't done anything."
"Not done anything!?" she snapped at me, anger flaring in her eyes.
"He was the one who forced me into here! Into this!" she gestured madly around.
"An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. A life for a life" she spoke calmly as Aldor started digging more at Merlin's throat which I then saw droplets of blood cascade on the floor.
"He ruined me, now I will ruin him" she explained and she nodded at Aldor.
"NO!"
Four things happened at once.
The first was that out of nowhere came a battle cry as Gwaine jumped from a tree and onto Morgana. At this distraction, Aldor had slackened his grip just slightly but still Merlin could wriggle out and had face planted the floor at my feet.
The second thing was that Leon had made a beeline for Merlin and Aldor and before I knew it Leon, with an angry 'aaahhh!', had stabbed Aldor straight through the stomach. He had gasped and fell to the floor. At this, Morgana had yelled a 'NO!' underneath Gwaine who was still straddling her back as they struggled for their weapons.
The third was that Percival and Elyan had sprinted through the camps throwing their knives backwards, some missing and some hitting their targets.
And the fourth was that when Merlin had got up, he had realised he was bleeding thoroughly and had looked up in anger and had yelled.
As a result of that, his eyes had flashed carnelian and had caused an explosion.
Us surrounding Merlin had all crouched down as a wind burst through the clearing and had all hit the bandits and flew them through the air, all killed.
Thinking we had won this, a shrill voice cried out, "sócn æcyrf!"
"Ooomph!"
Gwaine was lifted off Morgana and thrown onto the ground. She leapt up and snarled at us.
"Morgana, please, you don't need to do this" I pleaded with her.
She just glared at me, flashed her eyes and conjured up a sword.
"We duel." she ordered with a mad gleam in her eye.
"Take Merlin and go" I ordered.
"But-"
"NOW!" I yelled at Leon.
He submitted and then led Merlin off the hill with the knights in tow.
"Just us now" I said and raised my sword.
Her lip curled horribly and raised her sword and swiftly brought it down.
As we blocked and attacked each other I briefly noticed more men, armed this time, run into the clearing surrounding me and, unfortunately Merlin and the others. All with the crest of the Winsor house. But no Lord Winsor.
We clanged and clashed together, and keeping Gwen's words in my mind, I kept focused.
"Why Morgana?" I asked as we both crouched down, waiting for each other.
She ignored me and pounced. I quickly blocked her and twisted her sword arm around, forcing her to drop the sword.
She hissed in anger and her eyes flashed. I was quickly brought off the ground and slammed into the ground 10 meters away from her.
I knew I was concussed but I still forced myself up. Soon enough I started to see stars in front of my vision.
"Because Camelot will fall" she told me as she walked slowly over.
"Goodbye, Arthur Pendragon!"
Before I could notice her pulling out a dagger I had succumbed to darkness, letting myself escape to a dreamless sleep.
As I began to regain consciousness, I noticed my head hurt. A lot. Grimacing, I slowly realised I was on a soft bed. I fluttered my eyes open to be met with my fathers.
"Arthur" he breathed.
I groaned and propped myself up on my elbows.
"What happened?" I asked groggily.
That was when I noticed I was in the presence of others. Leon, Gwaine, Gwen, Gaius, Elyan and Percival. All of them.
Hang on.
Merlin...
"I'll send a servant to get you something to eat" Father said and left the room before giving my shoulder a comforting squeeze but I barely noticed.
I frantically looked around causing a, "Careful sire, you are still recovering from your head wound" from Gaius.
But I didn't care.
"What happened? Where's Merlin?" I demanded from them all.
Judging by the looks on their faces, I knew the answer was unpleasant and braced myself for the impact of the answer.
Gwen answered my question, "Arthur... Morgana has him."
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